Dear Friends,
Parenting changes so gradually that we don’t always notice it happening.
One day, our children need help tying their shoes, finishing homework, or finding the courage to walk into a new classroom. Then, almost before we’re ready, they are making decisions of their own, building careers and families, and creating lives that no longer revolve around ours.
That shift can bring a mixture of emotions. We may feel proud of who they are becoming and grateful for the life God has given them, while also missing the closeness and daily purpose that once shaped so much of our lives. We may wonder when to speak, when to stay quiet, how to remain connected, and what our role is now.
This week’s issue offers encouragement for that unfamiliar place. These articles remind us that loving adult children well does not mean stepping away completely, nor does it mean holding on too tightly. It means learning a different kind of love—one that listens, respects, supports, and trusts God with what we can no longer control.
Your influence still matters. Your prayers still matter. And God is still at work in your family, even as your connection begins to look different.
May these articles help you navigate this season with wisdom, humility, and hope.
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Encouraging you in God’s truth,
Empty Nest Not Emptiness | Patti Hutton
When the house grows quieter, the change can stir both gratitude and grief. Patti Hutton offers a look at the empty-nest transition and the surprising ways God can renew a mother’s purpose when one chapter of family life comes to a close.
Adult Children—Now What? | Catherine Hickem, L.C.S.W.
Adult children still need their parents—but not in the same way they once did. Catherine Hickem invites parents to consider how listening, respect, and healthy communication can help a lifelong bond become stronger rather than strained.
Be F.A.I.R. to Your Grown Up Kids | Bill Farrel
What does it look like to remain supportive without becoming over-involved? Through a practical framework, Bill Farrel shows how parents can offer wisdom, encouragement, and refuge while honoring their grown children’s independence.
Also:
Encounter the living Jesus throughout all of Scripture. Brought to you by the Passion movement, The Jesus Bible spotlights Jesus Christ as the central pillar throughout the entire Old and New Testament and shows you how to faithfully follow him as you participate in his grand story. Hundreds of articles identify references to Jesus throughout Scripture, helping you see how the full biblical narrative points back to him.
Empty Nest Not Emptiness
You can trust God in this time of transition.
By Patti Hutton
The year I turned 50, everything seemed to change at once. Our oldest son graduated from college and got married, our second son and only daughter headed off to college, and our youngest son found new independence with getting his driver’s license.
I was genuinely happy and proud of our children, excited for all that was ahead for them, but my mom-heart ached. How could this chapter be over so soon? Their lives were brimming with hope and anticipation for the future, while mine felt quiet and empty, longing for the past. Raising them was one of my greatest joys, and now it seemed nobody needed me anymore.
I found myself a little lost, asking the Lord, “What’s next for my life?” His gentle response: “Do you trust Me? I’m not done with you yet.”
